Fuel Tank Removal

[colinevans]

Evening all

Continuing my strip down, the engine/box and IRS didn’t present too many problems (apart from the IRS rolling forward off the jack as I lowered it!) but the fuel tank has me stumped. Everything is loose but I can’t see for the life of me how I’m ever going to have enough clearance on the near side by the filler next to enable the drain sump to lift out and clear the boot floor. Is there a knack here or am I missing something obvious? It seems like I need to find another couple of inches of lift from somewhere.
Cheers
Colin

[cactusman]

Forgive me if you know this but the tank drain sump unscrews in its entirity....certainly with it in place removing the tank is impossible.

[tinworm]

Take the tank sump off for a start. You will find you need to remove the bolt on bracket on the boot floor forward panel. Now you need to jiggle the tank sideways forcing the tank sump spigot up into the boot - it will catch at this point. Its a job.
Worse when you put it back in with nice shiny paint to scratch.

good luck Barrie

[colinevans]

Thanks, I didn’t realise the sump unscrewed but thought it must be something obvious. Strangely there’s no mention of that in the manual and it looked one-piece.
After an hour of serious battle with the sump amidst lashings of plusgas its not budged a millimetre. I’ll give it another go tomorrow.

[Stevejaguar]

After much struggling and cursing I filled my sump to the top with plus gas l and left it a week. Came undone without any trouble.
Steve

[colinevans]

Thanks Steve, I had a similar issue with a ball joint that bent two good splitters. Sometimes patience is the best option!
Cheers
Colin

[rossbraithwaite]

In my case it transpired there had been something stuck underneath the tank preventing it from dropping down low enough to provide clearance for the filler neck to come out. I still remember this as one of the more unpleasant jobs I have undertaken!

[colinevans]

I am suspicious of mine too. Having read other threads on this site about tank sumps, mine definitely does not have the small drain nut within the larger sump nut- just the large brass nut which a PO has already butchered. I’m going to try filing it to get some decent edges before i try anything else.
Cheers
Colin

[mgcjag]

Syphon your tank first if possible......i went to drain an xj6 buy undoing the small drain bolt....as soon as i applied a bit of pressure on the bolt the whole sump unit gave away due to rust...i had a bucket ready for a controlled drain..what i got was about 10 gallons out in a flood......so take note....Steve

[colinevans]

Sounds lovely Steve!
Mine’s now empty - bad planning meant that I had to siphon a whole freshly filled tank! My kids were willing recipients but didn’t offer to do the petrol in mouth bit. I’m going to have another go at it tonight but I think I might end up having to take more drastic actions.
Cheers
Colin

[thorp]

Colin, the large brass nut you reference is the base of the original sump. They are usually pretty tight; a six point socket combined with a long breaker bar (3 ft for example) should undo it with ease and takes away any risk of damaging the head.

I would avoid trying to do it with either a multi point socket or spanner as it will chew it up.





Will

[colinevans]

Hi Will
It was completely rounded off by a PO. I managed to file it back to a good enough hex to jam on a socket and a breaker bar, enough to release it anyway. The tank is now out and on the floor, the tank itself is pretty solid so that's a plus, hopefully just a new sump when I finally get round to the rebuild.
Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated as always.
Colin

[mgcjag]

Check you get the correct gasket....cant remember details its on the forum if you search....but some have had the incorrect gasket distort and leak after refitting....Steve

[colinevans]

Thanks Steve will do

[mgcjag]

See last 2 posts here http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php? ... 6a1973a206

[colinevans]

Brilliant cheers!